COST Action BM1007 (2011-2015)

Mast Cells and Basophils – Targets for Innovative Therapies

Dear colleagues and friends

The COST Action BM1007 Mast cells and Basophils – Targets for Innovative Therapies has completed its work and closed the Action by the final COST Conference in March 2015 in Berlin. The efforts and the spirit of this COST Action will however continue within the European Mast cell and Basophil Research Network EMBRN.

The main objective of the Action and our ongoing activities with EMBRN is the identification and characterisation of novel disease-related cell specific targets that will result in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by focusing on basic, clinical and translational science in mast cell and basophil research across Europe. The network fosters a multidisciplinary approach to mast cell and basophil research in order to increase understanding and to translate this knowledge into the development of potentially beneficial endpoints. Mast cells and basophils have long been recognized for their detrimental role in the elicitation of allergic diseases. In recent years, scientific results revealed both cell types as versatile effector cells that exhibit far more complex functions beyond their role in allergy. Mast cells and basophils have been shown to be critically involved in various innate and adaptive immune responses and, thereby, providing beneficial host protecting immunity. They also contribute to the development and maintenance of several chronic inflammatory diseases, which, even at the present time, lack sufficient treatment options. The diversity of important mast cell and basophil functions places these cell types into promising therapeutic targets. The Action created a network of European experts to foster a multidisciplinary approach for the identification, characterisation, and development of such targets and their translation into novel therapeutic strategies.

The Action consisted of 4 working groups (WGs) with designated areas of the research field. New members and innovative contribute to the continued activities of the COST Action by EMBRN are very much appreciated. If you want to participate in the EMBRN activities and/or join one or several working groups please don’t hesitate to contact us.